"This is pure politics," Dryden said. "All this started with the ludicrous concept of having a debate fundamental to the country based on different understanding of the word nation."

Gerard Kennedy leaves a press conference in Toronto on Monday after voicing his opposition to the motion. ((Aaron Harris/Canadian Press))

The motion passed Monday night in Parliament by a 266-16 margin.

Dryden, who is not considered one of the four leading candidates, has previously argued against his own party's proposed motionon recognizing Quebec as a nation. That motion is expected to be debated atthe Liberal convention this week.

"I think it's a motion that is politically inspired, treating this country like a political trinket, and we need and should expect better."

The former Ontario education ministersaid the motion will cause problems because itis ambiguous.

"It doesn't sayâ¦ what a nation is for Quebec. It doesn't say what we mean by that, and if there was ever a time for un dialogue honnÃªte —for an honest dialogue with Quebec and the rest of Canadians —it's now.

"We should not be trafficking in symbols for which we don't know what they mean or we intend people to be misled by them."